Vraylar Side Effects: Is Vraylar Linked To Weight Gain?

You may have heard of Vraylar, the prescription medication developed to treat and improve mental health conditions in adults. If you are one or know someone with bipolar depression, this brand name may be familiar to you. This medication is effective in reducing the severity of bipolar disorder and its related discomforts. Though Vraylar seems to be a potent medication that balances the chemicals in the brain to enhance your mood, the question is, are there any side effects for this drug?

In this article, we will delve deep into every nook and corner of this medication to see whether weight gain is a side effect associated with Vraylar. Reading this article without missing any of its sections will help you get a precise picture of all possible side effects of taking Vraylar and what measures you can take to prevent weight gain from using it. So, here we go!

What is Vraylar?

Vraylar is the brand name for a prescription drug named Cariprazine. This medication is designed and developed to treat certain types of bipolar disorders. Vraylar is proven to treat bipolar depression and is the best in treating manic or mixed episodes in bipolar I disorder, schizophrenia, and depressive episodes of bipolar I disorder. The medication is delivered to its users in the form of capsules that any aged person can take with ease. The active ingredients in Vraylar focus on improving your mood, behavior, and thoughts.

In most cases, this medication is suggested to take once a day. To reap the complete benefits of Vraylar, you should stick to using it consistently. You need to be in contact with your doctor and monitor your condition to get better or safeguard yourself from getting the condition worse.

Uses of Vraylar

Vraylar is used to treat the following mental health conditions in adults:

Depressive episodes of bipolar I disorder

Depressive episodes are commonly referred to as bipolar depression. A depressive episode is a health condition that makes you feel depressed, lowered mood, and/or loss of interest. The most common symptoms of depressive episodes include tiredness, feeling worthlessness and hopelessness, and differences in appetite. Vraylar is a medication proven to treat this medical condition. A study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information clearly describes the effectiveness of Cariprazine in treating bipolar depression.

Manic or mixed episodes of bipolar I disorder

Manic or mixed episodes are most common in people with bipolar disorder. These mixed features refer to high and low symptoms transpiring at the same time or are associated with a single episode. The one with mixed features has simultaneous symptoms of mania and depression, mostly happening in rapid sequence. Most of the mixed episodes last no less than 7 days. Vraylar shows significant positive effects on the short-term treatment of manic or mixed episodes. A study published in ClinicalTrials highlights the safety and efficacy of Vraylar in treating bipolar I disorder.

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that is tagged as a serious health condition. People with this medical condition interpret reality abnormally. This serious medical condition could result in hallucinations, delusions, or disordered thinking that alter the balance of your daily functioning. The active components in Vraylar help treat this mental condition to a great extent. A study report posted by the National Center for Biotechnology Information shows the significance of treating schizophrenia with cariprazine.

Vraylar side effects

Studies show that Vraylar can cause mild to serious side effects. The side effects associated with taking Vraylar may vary from person to person. Also, the side effects take a particular time to show up in your body as in most cases it takes several weeks. Most of the mild side effects disappear within a couple of weeks.

In case of any severe side effects, it is suggested to have a detailed consultation with your medical expert that helps you deal with it. Some of the possible side effects of taking Vraylar are given below.

◼ Mild side effects of taking Vraylar

Muscle stiffness
Sudden numbness or weakness
Headache
Feeling sleepy
Dizziness
Slow movements or feeling trouble moving around
Weight gain
Constipation
Feeling uncomfortably nervous and incapable to sit or stand still
Increased production of saliva
Nausea and vomiting
Indigestion

◼ Serious side effects

A sudden drop in blood pressure when getting up makes you feel dizzy or fainting.
Problems controlling your body temperature that make you feel dry skin, heatstroke, or lack of sweating.
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome includes symptoms such as drowsiness, feeling confused, sweating, rapid breathing, fast heart rate, and drowsiness.
Low white blood cell count
High triglycerides and high cholesterol levels in the blood
High blood sugar and diabetes
Tardive dyskinesia
Trouble swallowing that leads to aspiration
Allergic reactions

Vraylar And Weight Gain

As you see, weight gain can be caused by taking Vraylar. But a relaxing part is that weight gain is a side effect that comes under the minor side effects of Vraylar. Reports show that some people gained weight taking Vraylar.

In a clinical study, people who took Vraylar gained 1 kg by taking this medication for over a period of 3 to 8 weeks. The study states that the amount of weight one gains depends upon the dose of Vraylar and the severity of the medical condition. In another case, people having schizophrenia were treated with Vraylar and the results show an average weight gain of 1.2 kg in 12 weeks, 1.7 kg in 24 weeks, and 2.5 kg in 48 weeks.

For those taking this medication, it is recommended to monitor your weight. In case you see any weight gain issues by taking Vraylar, you don’t need to panic. All you need is to talk to your health expert and get medical advice that helps stay healthy.

You might also like to read: Lyrica Weight Gain: Why Does It Occur And How To Avoid It?

How to avoid Vraylar side effects?

Vraylar is an effective supplement that works on every adult body to treat bipolar disorder. Those who get hit with any of the side effects related to taking Vraylar can contact your healthcare provider. Expert medical advice can help safeguard your health by preventing your condition from getting worse with side effects.

Though side effects are discouraging, there are effective ways that help prevent or lower their adverse effects. Some of the best practices that you can follow to avoid Vraylar side effects are here:

✔️Avoid taking grapefruit while taking Cariprazine

✔️Make a detailed discussion with the medical expert about other medications you take for any of your health conditions.

✔️Avoid quitting Vraylar abruptly

✔️Take the right dosage of Vraylar and do not overdose

✔️Keep yourself hydrated

✔️Stick to a healthy diet

Summary

There are myriad atypical antipsychotics that claim to treat bipolar disorders in adults. All medications may cause one or the other side effects. Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, or any other mental health condition can effectively be treated using Vraylar taking the safe dosage.

A deep study into this medication can be concluded that taking Vraylar can cause weight gain in its users. Though the supplement is FDA-approved you can expect weight gain issues. But by talking to an expert medical practitioner or following the best practices included in this article you can keep these side effects at bay.